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Military Vets Prepare to Ride to Sturgis

Although riding to Sturgis is itself an incredible adventure, this week will see the journey take on life-changing meaning.

Sturgis is considered as one of the few, truly legendary motorcycle events in the world. Starting July 28th, ‘Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis’, will depart on a nine-day journey from Los Angeles to the 77th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Rolling out on Indian Motorcycles, trikes and Champion Sidecars, the 3rd annual VCR provides participating veterans a chance to use motorcycle therapy as a way to decompress from the challenges of post-war life.

Dozens of veterans have participated in the last two rides, and in 2017 twenty deserving veterans and veteran mentors will join the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis. The ride provides participating veterans the opportunity to work toward overcoming their post-war challenges while out on the open road. Riding through the most scenic back roads of the western United States, veterans will not only experience the great outdoors and the beauty this country has to offer, but also make stops to meet with other veterans, supporters, riders, and participate in various adjacent adventures.

Through the ‘Hero’s Ride of a Lifetime’ program, well-deserving post-9/11 veteran heroes were nominated by the public to join the ride. This year, Corporal Joshua Stein, U.S. Army (Ret.) and Corporal Neil Frustaglio, U.S. Marines (Ret.), best friends and above the knee bi-lateral amputees, were named as the honorary ‘Hero’s Ride of a Lifetime’ selectees.

The two heroes will pilot an Indian Scout Avenger Sidecar with modifications made by John Meade, owner of Azzkikr Custom Baggers, and his veteran employees in Phoenix, AZ. The Indian Scout Sidecar rig will be outfitted with a Rekluse Clutch, which eliminates the need to pull the clutch handle for shifting, a hand shift mechanism so the amputee rider can shift the bike manually, and the rear brake system will be moved and adapted to a hand brake on the left handlebar. The Scout will be complete with a custom Corbin seat to provide extra comfort and seating area for the long journey.

Starting at LA City Fire Station #77, Veterans Charity Ride founder and veteran Army Paratrooper Dave Frey, Joshua, Neil, and nearly two-dozen veterans will depart for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The LA Fire Department and Fire Hogs will escort the VCR group to Barstow from where VCR will carry onto Las Vegas, its first stop on the road to Sturgis.